Actuator with dual drive



Dec. 9, 1952 H. M. GEYER 2,620,683

ACTUATOR WITH, DUAL DRIVE Filed Sept. 21, 1951 j 4 Shets-Sheet 1 Aw, mu m Dec. 9, 1952 H. M. GEYER ACTUATOR wm-x DUAL DRIVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1951 IN V EN TOR. HO W620 M. GEYEIQ 4 TTOENE Y5.

Dec. 9, 1952 H. M. GEYER 2,620,683

7 ACTUATOR WITH DUAL DRIVE Filed Sept. 21, 1951 {Sheets-Sheet 3 1 N V EN TOR. flown/e0 M. 65 YER bis ATTORNE Y5 Dec. 9, 1952 H. M. GEYER 2,620,683

ACTUATOR WITH DUAL DRIVE Filed Sept. 21, 1951 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig ll.

AIS l IN V EN TOR. HOW/7RD M 65 YE/Z 6/15 4 TTOENE Y5 Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES ACTUATOR WITH DUAL DRIVE Howard M. Geyer, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a cor"- poration offlel'aware 13 Claims. I

' This invention relates to an improved power transmitting mechanism.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a power transmitting mechanism of sturdy structure and minimum weight so as to be particularly adaptable for use on aeronautical vehicles to adjust rudders, stabilizer, wing flaps, ailerons or any other members ofthe vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a power transmitting mechanism which may be actuated to perform its adjusting function by two separate motivating means,

such as hydraulic pressure and electromotive' the parts motivated by hydraulic pressure to o render the-entire device operative by the primary source of power and in which said entire device is operative by the electromotive force independently of the hydraulicpressure.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the follow-' ing description, reference being had to" the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal} sectional view of the unitary power transmitting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines and in the direction of arrows 2-2 of Fig. I.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end view of the unit; taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.. A cover is removed for illustrating gearing.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 4 -4 of Fig. I, certain parts being omitted for the sake of clearne'ss.

Fig; 5 isa full end View of the; device taken in the direction of arrow 5- of Fig. 1'. The sectional portion' in this figure is takenalong the lines 5-5-of Fig. '7'.

Fig 6. is a schematic, perspective view of the gearing connecting the electric motor with the" drivenv element of th device.

Fig 7 is a view of thehousing portion of the device taken in the direction of arrow 1 in 1'.

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale taken along the lines and in the direction of arrows 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a similar sectional view taken along the lines and in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a view detailedly showing the structure of the potentiometer actuating mechanism. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines H- ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a similar sectional view taken alongthe lines i2--l2 of Fig. '2, and r p v Fig. 13 is a detailed sectional view taken along the lines 13-13 of Fig. 5. I The power transmitting unit of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in aeronautical vehicles for the purpose of adjust-- ing movable parts thereof which would require considerable force under certain circumstances. The unit comprises two relatively movable por tions, one of which is adapted to be secured to an immovable portion of the vehicle while the other is attached to the portion of the vehicle desired to be adjusted, whereby in respons to relative movements of the two por tions of the power transmitting mechanism the movable part of the vehicle will be adjusted.- Asaforementioned, two motivating f orces may be used to activate the device, one being hydraulic fluid pressure, the other electromotive power in the form of an electric motor. In this instance the hydraulic pressure is the primary force" which moves the two relatively movable meme bers, the other secondary or auxiliary force being in the form of an electric motor also adapted, when energized, to cause relative movement between the two parts of the unit.

The power transmitting unit consists of a hous ing 28 having several recesses for receiving certain parts of the unit. One of these recesses extending from one end of the housing to the other provides a chamber having one diameter portion 2| and a smaller diameter portion ,22. The working cylinder 23 of the unit fits into andextends through the smaller diameter recess-portion 22 of the housing, the cylinder having an outwardly extending annular flange 24 between its ends, said flange being apertured to receive screws 25 for securing the cylinder to the housing.- As shown in Fig. 1, the cylinder extends inwardly into the housing and particularly into the larger diameter recess portion 2!, thereby forming. an annular chamber 28 between the cylinder and the adjacent inner wall 2| of the housing. The

outer end of the cylinder has a head member 21, centrally apertured for purposes to be described. Adjacent the outer end of cylinder 23 there is an outwardly extending flange 28 about which the shell 29, D-shaped in cross section is secured, the shell being formed to surround and be attached to the annular flange 24 of the cylinder. As shown in Fig. 2, the shell 29 is D-shaped to provide enlarged corner spaces between the adjacent wall of the cylinder 23 and the casing 22 to permit inclusion of certain rods and a pipe as will later be described. The end of the housing 2c in which the larger diameter recess portion 2! terminates is sealingly closed by a cover cap 36 secured to the housing in any suitable manner. Cap 35 provides trunnion 31 by means of which this portion of the power transmitting unit may be attached either to the stationary portion of the vehicle or to the member of the vehicle desired to be adjusted. Cover cap 36' also has a recess 32 for housing the potentiometer 3-3 which, as will later be described, provides a means for indicating position of the actuator. A piston il is reciprocatively contained within the cylinder 23 dividing said cylinder into two compartments, the one being designated by the numeral 4! which is the compartment on one side of the piston, more specifically on the cylinder head side of the piston, the other compartment being designated by the numeral 52 which is really the interior of the housing defined the larger diameter recess wall 2! and into which the cylinder 23 extends. On the side of the piston 49 adjacent the cylinder head 2?, there is provided a cylidnrical extension 53 which is slidably supported in the central opening of the cylinder head 2?, a seal dd being placed in the cylinder head to minimize fluid leak at this point. The end of the cylindrical extension 33 on piston it has a closure wall through which two screws 45 project for securing a block Q3 inside the cylindrical projection for purposes to be described. Cylindrical projection 43 extends outside the confines of the cylinder head 2! and has a collar ti secured thereto so as to be adjustable longitudinal of the cylindrical extension for purposes to be described. In a recess at this end of the cylindrical extension 33 of piston sc there is secured a clevis 53, supporting means by which the piston of the unit may be anchored to either the stationary part of the vehicle to which the unit is attached or to the part thereof to be adjuster Extending through an axial opening in the piston 65 and into the interior of the cylindrical projection 43 thereof is a shaft or rod 59 the one end of which, when the unit is completely contracted as shown in Fig. 1, lies adjacent the block 4a": secured to the closure wall of said cylindrical extension. The opposite end of this rod or shaft 53] has a head member 52, annular in shape and of larger diameter than the body portion of the rod or shaft, said head 52 being supported in the housing 25 by a bearing 53 shown in the present drawings to be a ball bearing including an inner race encompassing the head 52 and an outer race fitting within the recess 2! of the housing. This ball bearing is maintained in proper position against an annular shoulder in the recess 2! of housing 253 by the end cap or cover 33. The main body portion of the rod or shaft is mechanically connected to the piston 39 so that reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder will effect rotation of said rod or shaft. In the present drawings the well known ball-screw connection is utilized, the shaft 55 having a spiral groove 55 provided in its outer peripheral surface, the inner surface of the piston 40 encompassing the shaft having a coinciding spiral groove 56. Both these spiral grooves cooperate to form a spiral channel between the shaft and the piston in which a plurality of balls 57 may circulate by the assistance of an outer duct 58 carried by the piston, whereby said piston 40 is mechanically connected to the shaft 5c in the manner of screw threads. This mechanical connection provides for rotation of the shaft 55 in response to reciprocation of the piston 48 within the cylinder and under some circumstances reciprocation of the piston it! in the cylinder in response to rotation of the shaft 50.

The head portion 52 of the shaft 50 has an intermediate diameter portion to which a cupshaped member 69 is fastened in any suitable manner so that said cup-shaped member 50 and the shaft will rotate as a single unit. This cupshaped member Bil encompasses the piston 40, the outer end edge of said member 60 being serrated to provide clutch teeth bl. These clutch teeth 6| are engageable by corresponding clutch teeth provided in one end edge of the clutch ring 62. The contiguous surfaces of the toothed ends of the member 60 and the clutch ring 6'2 have a plurality of aligned pairs of recesses in each of which a spring as is housed, each spring being of predetermined strength and normally urging the clutch ring 62 so that its toothed edge is moved out of gripping engagement with the cooperating toothed edge of the cup-shaped member 60. A sleeve bearing 64 is immovably supported on the outer annular wall of the cup-shaped member 50, this sleeve bearing supporting a worm gear 55. This worm gear 55 is adapted to be engaged by a worm as will later be described. Worm gear 65 has a cylindrical extension 6b which fits about the clutch ring 62. The outer end of this cylinqrical extension 65 has a plurality of notches 61 each of which receives an extension 68 provided on the clutch ring 62. Extensions or prongs B8 on the clutch ring 62 extending into the notches 61 in the worm gear extension 66 drivingly connect the worm gear 65 and clutch ring 62, permitting axial movement of the clutch ring 62 relative to the cylindrical extension 66 of the worm gear but permitting no relative rotative movement therebetween.

The annular ledge provided between the two difierent diameter recesses 2| and 22 of the housing has a plurality of recesses 79 therein each containing or housing a coil spring ll, these springs ll being substantially stronger than the springs 63 and therefore springs ll are capable of overcoming any opposing eifect ofiered by springs 63. Each spring ll engages a ring piston l5, slidably carried in the annular space 26 between the housing wall and inwardly extending cylinder, this ring piston being properly sealed to prevent fluid leakage thereby. A stop ring 16, secured in the housing recess 2|, limits the movement of piston '15 under the effect of the engaging springs ll. Another abutment or stop ring 11 is provided in the recess 2| spaced from the stop ring or abutment Hi. This stop ring 1! is engageable by the cylindrical extension 18 of member 19 slidably supported Within the space 26 and between the stop rings 16 and 11 extending inwardly into this space. The slidable member 19 has a plurality of through passages arranged therein in an annular row and in each one of the through passages a pin 80 is slidably supported. This pin 80 has its one end anchored to the piston assumes 5,. so that the pins are moved slidably in the carrier 19 by movement of the piston 15. Pins 86 engage a thrust collar 85 slidable within the cylindrical extension 78 of member 19, this thrust collar 85 having component parts which engage the annular end edge of the ring clutch 62 opposite the end edge provided with the teeth. From this it may be seen that springs H normal- 137' urge the piston 15 outwardly of the recess 2i toward the clutch ring 62 so that the pins 86, attached to the piston, move slidably through the carrier member 19 and, engaging the thrust ring or collar 85, cause it to urge the ring clutch 62 toward the cup-shaped member 60 secured on the shaft 50, so that the teeth of ring clutch 62 engage the corresponding and cooperating teeth 6| on the cup-shaped member 6!! whereby cupshaped member 6| and the clutch member 62 are securely held together so as to prevent relative rotative movement therebetween. This will prevent any rotation of the shaft 56 until such a time as the ring clutch 62 is actuated to move its teeth out of engagement with the corresponding teeth on the member 60 attached to shaft 55.

As has been stated, hydraulic pressure is the main or primary motivating force for the power transmitting mechanism for the present invention. Thus in order to reciprocate the piston 46, fluid pressure must be introduced into the cylinder on one side or the other of said piston. Also to" permit reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder the shaft 50 must be permitted to rotate, any prevention of rotation of shaft '59 looking the piston 46 against reciprocation.

Fig. 7, which is a view of the housing shown in Fig. 1, taken in the direction of arrow 1 in said Fig. 1, illustrates ducts in the housing with which fluid pressure introducing pipes or conduits may be connected in any suitable manner. In order to reciprocate the piston Ml toward the cylinder head member 21 or to the right as regards Fig. 1, fluid pressure must be introduced into the housing chamber 42 so that it may be applied to the end of the piston at the open end of the cylinder or adjacent the cup-shaped member 60 attached to member 50. Duct 96 illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is the duct which leads through the housing and terminates in the recess portion 2| of the housing. Any fluid under pressure introduced into this portion of the housing will be directed against the proper end of piston 40 to move it toward the cylinder head 2'7. In order that the shaft 50 may be rotated so as to permit such reciprocation of the piston 46, clutch ring 62 must be removed from engagement with the teeth 6! on the cup-shaped mem-- ber 60. For this purpose duct 9! is provided in the housing which directs fluid under pressure from the source of supply to the interior of the annular space 26 between the movable carrier 19 and the ring piston 15 adjacent thereto, this pressure receiving space being occupied partially by the stop ring 76. When fluid pressure is introduced into this space piston 15 is moved inwardly against the effect of the springs 10 and in so moving pins 85 are drawn by said piston to move away from the end thrust-member 85 thereby relieving the pressure of spring N thereon. With the pressure of springs H removed from the end thrust member 85 weaker springs 63 are rendered effective to move the ring clutch 62 axially relatively to its supporting cylindrical projection 66 of worm gear 65 and thus move the clutch teeth on the ring clutch 62 out of engagement with the clutch teeth 6| on the cup-shaped member 60 attached to shaft 50. Now the cupshaped member 60 and its attached shaft 50 may rotate and consequently piston 40 may move under fluid pressure toward the cylinder head 21.

To reciprocate piston 46 in the opposite direction, that is, away from the cylinder head 21, fluid pressure must be introduced into chamber 4| within the cylinder. This is accomplished by directing fluid through the duct 92 in the housing shown both in Figs. 5 and 7. In Fig. 13 it is shown how duct 912 communicates with a pipe 93 which extends through openings in adjacent portions of the housing and the flange 24 of the cylinder and through another opening in the flanges 23 of the cylinder to communicate with a cross passage 94 in the cylinder which opens into and communicates with the interior of the cylinder adjacent its bottom end or more specifically the end wall provided by the end member 2'? of said cylinder. Thus, any fluid pressure introduced into duct 62 is directed through pipe 93 and duct 64 into the extreme end of the cylinder adjacent its closed end 21 and thus into the chamber 4! of said cylinder. This pressure reciprocates the piston and moves it away from head member 21 toward the cup member 66 on shaft 50. It will, of course, be understood that concurrently with the introduction of fluid pressure into either one of the cylinder chambers M or 42 fluid pressure must be introduced through the duct 9| to actuate the spring com pressing ring piston 15 whereby spring '63 may become efiective to disengage the ring clutch 62 from the cup shaped member 60 on shaft 50 to permit rotation of shaft 56 in response to reciprocation of piston 46. If at any time during the reciprocation of the piston, fluid pressure in either duct 98 or 92 and also in duct 9| is discontinued, then the clutch is again engaged to lock the shaft 56 against rotation and consequently the piston 46 will be held immovable in whatever position it has assumed by virtue of the previously applied fluid pressure on either side thereof.

As the piston 46 is moved toward the cylinder head end 21 the unit is extended and clevis 43 is moved outwardly thereby increasing the overall length of the unit and consequently moving the movable portion of the vehicle to which it is attached relatively to the stationary portion of the vehicle to which said unit is also anchored. When the piston is moved away from the cylinder end 21 the actuator is contracted and the overall length between clevis 48 and the mounting member at the opposite end of the unit is shortened whereby a reverse movement of the movable part of the vehicle is effective.

During the actuator operation the functions of ports or ducts 96 and 92 alternately change. As the actuator is operated in one direction port is the fluid pressure inlet and port 92 the fluid discharge outlet. When the operation of the actuator is reversed 92 becomes the inlet port and 96 the discharge port.

Having described the mechanism of the unit as motivated by hydraulic pressure which is the primary motivating force, the secondary motivating force, an electric motor in this instance will now be described.

The secondary drive of the power transmitting mechanism is performed by an electric motor I90 which is supported by the housing 26. This electric motor is operative to drive an intermediate shaft I6! connected through speed reducing gearing with the worm gear 65. When the electric 7. motor Iilll is not activated it is not drivingly connected with the shaft Hi I. However, concurrently with the energization of the electric motor I08 a magnetic clutch, interposed between the motor and shaft IllI, is energized and drivingly connected to so that the shaft iill will be driven by the motor. Any suitable, electrically actuated clutch may be provided for this purpose. In the present instance the rotor shaft E82 of the electric motor has a cup-shaped element 33 attached thereto which is rotatable within a magnetic field created by the electromagnet Hi l mounted within the motor housing in any suitable manner. The shaft Illl is journaled in the housing Eli and has a magnetic disc iQS keyed thereto so that said disc must rotate with shaft illI but may move axially thereon. One side of this disc IE is frictionally engageable with a braking disc I96 secured within the housing 253. This braking disc Hi6 is secured within the housing so that it is immovable particularly against rotative movement. Thus, when the electric motor is activated and the electromagnet Iil l energized, a magnetic field is set up to attract the magnetic disc Hi5 secured to shaft Itll, moving said disc into engagement with the cup its being rotated by the motor I til and thereby moving said magnetic disc Hi5 out of frictional engagement with the stationary disc it so that said disc 65 with its attached shaft ill will be rotated by the electric motor. When the electric motor is deenergized and consequently the electric magnet 1534 is deenergized, spring till, interposed between the cup-shaped element Hi3 on the rotor shaft and the magnetic disc 5% will urge said magnetic disc It? away from the cup and into frictional, gripping engagement with the braking disc E56 immovably secured to the housing. This holds the shaft iili against any rotative movement which might be transmitted thereto from the worm gear 65 through the connecting speed reducing gear.

Fig. 6 schematically shows the arrangement of the gearing connection between the motor driven shaft ifil and the ring gear 65 supported by the screw shaft 59. Motor driven shaft lill has the pinion Elli attached thereto which meshes with an intermediate gear lil, said gear ill in turn drivingly engaging another gear H2. Gears Hi), i l l and 1 42 are outside the housing 2d and within the recess 5 it provided in the cover l 54 attached to the housing. Gear H2 is secured to a shaft ilil journaled in the housing 2!} said shaft H8 also having a worm H9 secured thereto which operatively engages the worm gear Iid carried by a shaft it! which also has another worm I22 secured thereto. Worm I22 operatively engages the worm gear 55 which, as has been previously described, is rotatably supported upon the cupshaped member attached to the shaft 53. Thus, when the motor Hit is operating, driving the shaft Ill! through the electromagnetically actuated clutch, pinion HE) will drive gears i l i and H2. Rotation of gear H2 will rotate the worm M9 on the same shaft and this worm HS will in turn rotate worm gear 129. Shaft lZl attached to worm gear :28 will be rotated and therefore worm 122 will also be driven to rotate the worm gear 65 with which it operatively engages. These respective gears are predeterminedly sized and constructed to drive the shaft all at a predetermined speed relatively to a fixed speed of the electric motor IE9. It will be seen that when the worm gear 65 is rotated the ring clutch 52 will be rotated therewith due to the nubbles 68 of said ring clutch extending into elongated slots in the skirt of the worm gear 55.

Duringthis time ring clutch 62 is held in gripping engagement with the clutch teeth 6| of the cup-shaped member M attached to shaft 5!! and thus this shaft 50 will be rotated with the ring clutch 62. As the shaft 58 rotates, piston 40 will be reciprocated within the cylinder one direction or the other depending upon the directional rotation of the shaft 5i) by reversible motor Hill. It will be noted that when the secondary driver or electric motor is functioning the ring clutch 82 remains in driving connection with the toothed member 60 of the shaft 59. On the other hand when the primary power source or hydraulic fluid pressure actuates the mechanism ring clutch 62 is moved out of engagement with the toothed member 60 of the shaft 5% to permit rotation of the shaft 5 1: because the secondary drive, if permitted to remain in driving connection with the ring gear 85, would prevent shaft rotation and therefore prevent reciprocation of the piston by fluid pressure. Thus, the magnetic disc IE5, frictionally engaging the brake ring or disc Hit, together with the gearing connecting the shaft IN to which the magnetic disc IE5 is attached, act as a means for preventing rotation of the ring gear 55 while the electric motor or what is termed the secondary drive is inactive.

Limiting means are provided in the device for stopping motor operation when the piston 40 and its accoutrements reach the limit of their travel in one direction or the other. This means is clearly illustrated by the Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 1 shows the housing 20 as having a recess I30 in which limit switches (only one, l3I, being shown) are contained. These switches are identical and each connected in circuit between the source of power and the electric motor. They are actuated by plungers slidably supported within the housing and when depressed break the circuit to the electric motor and stop it, but when released complete one gap on the electric circuit to the motor. Fig. 11 illustrates the means for stopping the motor when the piston All has been reciprocated to its fully outward position in which the power transmitting mechanism is fully extended. The numeral I35 designates the plunger containing channel through which one actuating plunger slidably extends in the housing 2E3. This plunger is engageable by a rod I36 which extends along the outside of the cylinder 43 and has a plate or finger I37 attached thereto. Rod I36 is yieldably urged in one direction by a spring I38 located within the space between the cylinder 23 and the shell 29. In the end 21 of the cylinder a plunger I39 is slidably supported, one end of the plunger extending outside the cylinder and being engaged by the finger i3! attached to rod I36, the inner end of said plunger extending into said cylinder and being engageable by the one side of the piston 48 as it approaches the closed end of the cylinder in its extending stroke. When the piston 49 engages plunger I39, said plunger is forced outwardly of the cylinder and consequently moves the rod I36 to the right against the effect of spring I38 thereby causing the rod I36 to actuate the switch plunger I35 in the housing 20 to actuate its switch into the circuit breaking position so that the motor will be stopped and rotation of the shaft 5i] discontinued. Fig. 12 shows the mechanism for stopping the electric motor when the piston 40 approaches its limit of movement inwardly or as the power transmission device is fully retracted. Here the cylinder casting slidably supports a rod I46, the one end of which operatively engages the plunger I ll of the second limit switch in arecess of housing I20. A spring I48 yieldably holds the rod I46 in a normal position. The end of rod I66 extends outside the cylinder casting and has a finger hi9 attached thereto, which, when the piston approaches its limit of inward movement, is engaged by the collar 41, adjustably secured to the outer end of the .piston projection 43, so that rod I 45 is pushed inwardly against the effect of spring I48 to actuate the plunger I41 of the switch and thereby operate the switch to break the motor circuit and stop motor operation. This ring ti on the piston .extension 43 is adjustable longitudinally on said extension and has means for looking it in adjusted position so that the opening of the switch to stop motor operation as the piston approaches its inward limit of travel may be properly timed. Both rods I36 and I46 have slots therein into which stop and rotation preventing pins I56 extend, said stop pins being carried by the cylinder casting and preventing rotation as Well as limiting the movement of said pins by their respective springs I38 and I48. Other means of mechanical connection between the piston and the limiting switch actuating mechanism may be used in place of the pins I35 and Ml.

The transmission device is provided with means whereby the operator at some remote point may ascertain the position of the piston within the cylinder and thus the degree of adjustment of the vehicle portion to which the device is attached. In this instance a potentiometer or any suitable device whose rotative motion is capable of providing visible indications at some remote point. This potentiometer is designated by the numeral 38 and has an operating stub shaft I65 extending from the end cover 3!] into a central passage It! provided throughout the entire length of the shaft 59. This stub shaft I E is attached to a tube I62 which is rotatably supported in a bearing block I53 within a recess at the outer end of the shaft 50. This is clearly shown in Fig. which also shows the tube I62 as having a spirally shaped slot I65 extending short of both ends of said tube, this spiral slot I65 being of less than one convolution for its entire length. A rod I68 has its one end fastened within the block 46 secured by screws 45 in the end closure member of the piston extension 43, this rod I63 extending through the tube I62 short of the opposite end of the tube and having a nub-ble I69 extending radially therefrom and into the spiral slot I55 of the tube. Thus, as the piston 40 and its extension 43 moves outwardly of the housing a shown in Fig. 1, the rod I68 will be moved axially of the tube I62 and the nubble Hi9 thereon will travel through the spiral groove 165 slowly turning the tube I62 as said nubble moves toward the end of the tube 562 rotatably supported in the bearing block I63 carried by the piston extension 50. As the tube I62 is rotated it rotates the element 33 which may be a potentiometer or any other suitable means for providing indicating impulses which may be transmitted to the operator at some remote point and thereby indicate the position of the nubble I59 in the tube I62 or more specifically the position of the piston H0 in the cylinder 23. By knowing the position of the piston in the cylinder the operator immediately is informed into what position of adjustment the vehicle element attached to the power transmission device has'been moved.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form,

1 0 it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimedis as follows:

1. An actuator comprising in combination, a cylinder; a reciprocative piston in said cylinder; a shaft extending through the piston and threadedly connected therewith so as to be rotatable relative thereto; clutch means engaging the shaft to lock it against rotation; releasing means operative in response to il-uid pressure for actuating the clutch means to free the shaft from the clutch; means operative concurrently to introduce fluid under pressure into either end of the cylinder nd to the releasing means for reciproeating the piston and freeing the shaft to permit rotation thereof; a member mechanically connected with the clutch means, said member being operative to hold said clutch means against rotation and when rotated to rotate the clutch means; an electric motor; and a train of gearing connecting the motor with said member for either holding or rotating it.

2. An actuator comprising in combination, a housing providing a cylinder; a piston in said cylinder, said piston having a tubular extension slidably extending through a closure member at one end of the cylinder; a rod extending through the piston and into its tubular extension; means mechanically connecting the piston to the rod so that reciprocation of the piston rotates the rod; clutch means engageable with the rod for holding it against rotation and preventing reciprocation of the piston; ducts in the housing for introducing fluid under pressure into the cylinder either above or beneath the piston; means operative to disengage the clutch means from the rod and free the rod to permit its rotation; a duct in the housing for directing fluid under pressure to said clutch disengaging means for operating it; and electric motor driven means connected with the clutch means for holding the clutch means against rotation or for rotating the clutch means to rotate the shaft and thereby reciprocate the piston.

3. An actuator comprising in combination, a cylinder provided with a head member at one end; a housing supporting the cylinder and pro.- viding a fluid chamber in communication with the other end of the cylinder; a reciprocative piston in said cylinder provided with an axial passage in which one end of a tubular extension is rigidly secured, said extension being slidably supported in the cylinder head and closed at its outer end; means on the housing and at the closed end of the tubular extension of the piston for attaching the actuator to the members to be actuated; a rod extending axially through the piston and into its tubular extension; a coincid ing spiral groove formed in the contiguous surfaces of the piston and rod, said grooves forming a spiral channel containing circulating balls which mechanically connect the piston to the rod in the manner of screw threads; a clutch engaged shell anchored to the rod; a spring loaded clutch releasably urged into gripping engagement with said shell; a sleeve journaled on said shell and mechanically connected to the clutch; ducts in the housing, one communicating with the fluid chamber, the second with the intericr of the cylinder adjacent its head member and the third with the clutch spring loading means, respectively operative to direct fluid under pressureinto' the actuator for reciprocating the piston one-direction, in the other .di-- rection and for effecting release of the rod by the clutch; an electric motor mounted on the housing; and gearing connected between the motor and clutch effective either to hold the clutch against rotation or to transmit rotative motion from the motor to the clutch.

4. An actuator comprising in combination, a cylinder having a, head member; a housing supporting the cylinder and providing a fluid chamber in communication with said cylinder; a piston in the cylinder, said piston having a cylindrical extension slidably extending through the cylinder head member; a rod extending through the piston and threadedly connected therewith; a clutch member secured to the rod; a rotatable clutch releasably urged into gripping engagement with the said clutch member; a ring shaped piston slidable in an annular chamber between the housing and cylinder. said piston being mechanically connected to the clutch; springs urging the ring iston to move the clutch into engagement with the clutch member on the rod; means in the housing for directing fluid into the cylinder on one side or the other of the piston therein and concurrently into the ring piston chamber; and an electric motor having gear connections with the clutch operative to hold the clutch against rotation when said motor is inactive or to rotate said clutch when the motor is activated.

5. An actuator comprising in combination, a

cylinder; 9. reciprocative piston in said cylinder capable of fluid pressure actuation in either direction; a rod extending axially through the piston and mechanically connected thereto for effecting rotation of the rod in response to piston reciprocation; releasable locking means engaging the rod for holding it against rotation when no fluid pressure is exerted upon the piston; and auxiliary, reversible driving means operatively connected to said locking means, said auxiliary means, when inactive holding said locking means against rotation and when active rotating said locking means for turning the rod and consequently reciprocating the piston.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5 in which the auxiliary driving means is a reversible electric motor mechanically connected to the locking means by a train of speed reducing gearing which hold said locking means against rotation while the electric motor is inactive and which rotate the locking means and its engaged rod to reciprocate the piston when said electric motor is activated.

7. An actuator comprising in combination, a housing; a cylinder supported by said housing the one open end of the cylinder extending into the housing and cooperating therewith to form an annular space within the housing, the other end of the cylinder having a head member; a reciprocative piston in the cylinder, said piston having a cylindrical extension slidably supported in the head member of the cylinder, the outer end of said extension being closed; a rod extending through the piston and mechanically connected thereto so as to rotate in response to reciprocation of the piston, said rod having a circular surface; a clutch ring operative axially into gripping engagement with the said circular surface and rotatably to turn the rod; a spring loaded, ring shaped piston slidably supported in said annular space in the housing, said ring shaped piston beingconnected with the clutch ring and urging it axially to grip the circular'surface of the rod; ducts in the housing operative to direct fluid under pressure against said ring shaped piston for effecting disengagement of the clutch ring from the rod and concurrently to the cylinder on one side or the other of the piston therein; and an auxiliary power device connected by gearing to the clutch ring for holding said ring against rotation or for transmitting rotative motion thereto in response to activation of said auxiliary power device.

8. A device in accordance with claim '7 in which springs are interposed between the clutch engaged portion of the rod and the clutch ring, said springs being weaker than the springs loading the ring shaped piston and being operative to separate the rod and clutch ring only when the spring loaded, ring shaped piston is fluid pressure actuated.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8 in which the rod, connected to the piston, is hollow; a tubular member rotatably supported in said rod, said tubular member havin a longitudinal, spiral slot of less than one convolution in its annular wall; a recess in the housing; a potentiometer in said recess operatively attached to the tubular member in the rod; and a spindle anchored at one end in the closed end of the piston extension so as to be movable therewith and having a projecting nub at its other end which extends into and moves along the spiral slot of the tubular member to turn it and its attached potentiometer for indicating the position of the piston in the cylinder.

10. An actuator comprising in combination, a housing; a cylinder secured to said housing, the one, open end of said cylinder extending into said housing to form an annular space therein, the other end of the cylinder having a head member provided with a central opening; a reciprocative piston in the cylinder, said piston having a cylindrical extension slidably supported in the central opening of the cylinder head, the outer end of said extension, protruding from the cylinder, being closed; a shaft extending axially through the piston and mechanically connected thereto for turning the shaft as the piston is reciprocated; a clutch engageable member fastened to the shaft; a clutch ring engageable with said member; springs interposed between the clutch ring and member yieldably urging them apart; a sealing member in the annular space between the cylinder and interior wall of the housing, forming a fluid chamber in said space; an end thrust collar interposed between the sealing member and clutch ring; thrust pins slidably extending through the sealing member and engaging the thrust collar; a ring piston in the said annular fluid chamber engaging the thrust pins; springs in said fluid chamber, engaging the piston, said springs being stronger than the springs between the clutch ring and the member engaged thereby, whereby the ring piston, acting through the thrust pinsand collar, yieldably urges the clutch ring to engage the shaft member; ducts in the housing operative to direct fluid under pressure in the annular fluid chamber and against the piston therein for compressing the stronger springs to permit the other springs to disengage the clutch ring from the shaft member concurrently with direction of fluid to the cylinder on one side or the other of the piston therein; an .electric motor; and means controlled by the electric motor and connected to the clutch ring, said means being operative to hold said clutch ring against rotation but permitting its axial movement While the electric motor is inactive and to 13 rotate said clutch ring when the electric motor is activated.

11. A device in accordance with claim 10 in which a toothed sleeve is rotatably supported by the clutch engageable member fastened to the shaft, said sleeve being mechanically connected to the clutch ring to permit only axial movement of said ring relatively to the sleeve, said sleeve being drivingly connected to the elec tric motor by a train of speed reducing gearing.

12. A device in accordance with claim 5 including means operatively connected to and actuated by said rod for indicating the position of said piston in said cylinder.

13. An actuator comprising in combination, a cylinder; 2. reciprocative piston in said cylinder capable of fluid pressure actuation in either direction; a rod disposed in said cylinder and oper- 14 atively connected to said piston whereby relative rotation will occur between said rod and said piston in response to piston reciprocation; releasable locking means operatively associated with said piston for holdingit against movement when no fluid pressure is exerted upon the said piston; and auxiliary driving means operatively connected to said locking means for effecting reciprocative movements of said piston, said auxiliary means, when inactive, maintaining said locking means operative to prevent movement of said piston and when active, operative to efiect movement of said piston through said locking means by rotating said rod.

HOWARD M. GEYER.

No references cited. 

